Before Android and iOS took over, there was a groundbreaking invention that changed how we interact with technology forever. Known as the first smartphone with internet, this device paved the way for the connected world we live in today.
In this article, we explore the birth of mobile internet, the phone that started it all, and how it influenced modern smartphones as we know them.
IBM Simon – The World’s First Smartphone with Internet Access
Released in 1994, the IBM Simon Personal Communicator is widely recognized as the first smartphone. While it lacked the speed and features of today’s phones, it made history by combining phone functionality with PDA features like email and fax.
More importantly, it allowed limited access to online services via cellular networks — a huge leap at the time.
| Feature | IBM Simon |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1994 |
| Internet Capability | Limited email & web-like services |
| Screen | Touchscreen LCD (monochrome) |
| OS | Datalight ROM-DOS |
| Battery Life | Around 1 hour talk time |
| Price at Launch | $899 (equivalent to over Ksh 130,000 today) |
Although IBM Simon’s internet access was basic, it marked the start of mobile connectivity. According to Wikipedia, it was the first handheld device to integrate both communication and computing — a true smartphone before the term even existed.
How the IBM Simon Changed the Mobile Industry
When IBM Simon hit the market, most phones were only capable of making calls or sending SMS. Simon was different. It featured:
- A touchscreen with stylus input
- Email support
- An address book and calendar
- Early forms of internet access
This functionality positioned it ahead of its time. It influenced future mobile device makers to think beyond voice communication. Notably, it sparked the idea that phones could be handheld computers — a concept that lives on in every smartphone today.
If you’re interested in how touchscreens played a role in shaping mobile tech, explore our full breakdown on The First Touchscreen Smartphone.
Why the First Smartphone with Internet Still Matters
While IBM Simon didn’t dominate the market, its legacy remains important for several reasons:
| Reason | Impact |
|---|---|
| Introduced connectivity | Proved that phones could be used for more than calls |
| Inspired innovation | Set the stage for future smart devices |
| Proved demand | Showed there was a market for mobile productivity tools |
| Created new standards | Email, apps, and mobile internet became must-haves |
The mobile experience we now take for granted — checking emails, streaming videos, or browsing social media — started with these early efforts. That’s why understanding IBM Simon’s place in tech history is essential.
The Evolution from IBM Simon to Android and iOS
After Simon, brands like Nokia, BlackBerry, and Palm continued to build on mobile internet functionality. But the real game-changer came with smartphones running Android and iOS.
Android, in particular, brought mobile internet access to the masses. Today’s phones not only connect to the internet but also act as hubs for everything from banking to video production.
To see how far we’ve come, check out our latest update on the Android 15 Update and the new features it brings to modern devices.
According to Wikipedia, the term “smartphone” didn’t even become common until the 2000s — yet IBM Simon had already laid the foundation a decade earlier.
Final Thoughts
The first smartphone with internet wasn’t sleek, fast, or cheap. But it changed everything.
Without IBM Simon, there would be no Android 15, no iPhones, and no apps that dominate our daily lives. It was the spark that ignited the mobile revolution.
Today’s devices may be more advanced, but they all owe something to that one bold leap in 1994.
